N.J. Prosecutors: Adjuster Defrauded Insurance Firms

State prosecutors say a licensed public adjuster in northern New Jersey defrauded clients and insurance companies out of more than $36,000 by billing for repairs that were never done.

Sheena Clarke of Englewood faces numerous charges — including insurance fraud, forgery and theft — in the indictment made public Tuesday. It was recently handed up by an Essex County grand jury.

Prosecutors say the 59-year-old Clarke submitted fraudulent property damage claims to four insurance companies between July 2005 and August 2010. She also allegedly forged the endorsement of reimbursement checks totaling more than $36,000 from the firms.

The claims involved properties in Paterson, Newark, Irvington and East Orange.

A phone message left for Clarke on Tuesday afternoon was not immediately returned. It’s not known if she’s retained a lawyer.